The Official Formula 1 Blog

Qualification Malaysian Grand Prix

2006-03-20T09:07:00.000+02:00

1 G. Fisichella Renault 1:33.840
2 J. Button Honda 1:33.986
3 N. Rosberg Williams 1:35.105
4 M. Schumacher Ferrari 1:35.010
5 M. Webber Williams 1:35.252
6 JP. Montoya McLaren 1:34.536
7 K. Räikkönen McLaren 1:34.667
8 F. Alonso Renault 1:35.514
9 C. Klien Red Bull 1:35.171
10 R. Schumacher Toyota no time
11 D. Coulthard Red Bull 1:34.614
12 R. Barrichello Honda 1:34.683
13 J. Trulli Toyota 1:34.070
14 J. Villeneuve BMW 1:34.752
15 N. Heidfeld BMW 1:34.783
16 F. Massa Ferrari no time
17 S. Speed Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:36.297
18 V. Liuzzi Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:36.581
19 C. Albers Midland F1 1:37.426
20 T. Monteiro Midland F1 1:37.819
21 T. Sato Super Aguri 1:39.011
22 Y. Ide Super Aguri 1:40.720

Bahrain Grand Prix

2006-03-15T12:11:00.000+02:00

A nail-biting start to the 2006 season saw Michael Schumacher push world champion Fernando Alonso all the way in Bahrain in a race filled with drama and incident.

Nico Roseberg Formula One debute is sort debut that every driver dreams of. Not only did Nico Rosberg score points in his first ever Grand Prix - driving his Williams to a well-deserved seventh place finish - but did so with one of the most convincing maiden drives in recent memory, including setting the fastest lap of the race.

1. F. Alonso Renault 1:29:46.206
2. M. Schumacher Ferrari + 1.246
3. K. Räikkönen McLaren + 19.360
4. J. Button Honda + 19.992
5. JP. Montoya McLaren + 37.048
6. M. Webber Williams + 41.932
7. N. Rosberg Williams + 1:03.043
8. C. Klien Red Bull + 1:06.771
9. F. Massa Ferrari + 1:09.907
10. D. Coulthard Red Bull + 1:15.541
11. V. Liuzzi Scuderia Toro Rosso + 1:25.997
12. N. Heidfeld BMW + 1 lap
13. S. Speed Scuderia Toro Rosso + lap
14. R. Schumacher Toyota + 1 lap
15. R. Barrichello Honda + 1 lap
16. J. Trulli Toyota + 1 lap
17. T. Monteiro Midland F1 + 2 laps
18. T. Sato Super Aguri + 4 laps

Qualification Bahrain Grand-Prix

2006-03-15T12:07:00.000+02:00

1 M. Schumacher Ferrari 1:31.431
2 F. Massa Ferrari 1:31.478
3 J. Button Honda 1:31.549
4 F. Alonso Renault 1:31.702
5 JP. Montoya McLaren 1:32.164
6 R. Barrichello Honda 1:32.579
7 M. Webber Williams 1:33.006
8 C. Klien Red Bull 1:33.112
9 G. Fisichella Renault 1:33.496
10 N. Heidfeld BMW 1:33.926
11 J. Villeneuve BMW 1:32.456
12 N. Rosberg Williams 1:32.620
13 D. Coulthard Red Bull 1:32.850
14 J. Trulli Toyota 1:33.066
15 V. Liuzzi Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:33.416
16 S. Speed Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:34.606
17 R. Schumacher Toyota 1:34.702
18 C. Albers Midland F1 1:35.724
19 T. Monteiro Midland F1 1:35.900
20 Y. Ide Super Aguri 1:37.411
21 T. Sato Super Aguri 1:38.868
22 K. Räikkönen McLaren no time

The months of waiting are over

2006-03-10T11:06:00.000+02:00

The months of waiting are over. The 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship gets underway in Bahrain this weekend with new drivers, new regulations and even a new team. And winter testing suggests that champions Renault have plenty of rivals ready and able to steal their crown

The 2006 rookies - Rosberg, Speed & Ide

2006-03-09T07:57:00.000+02:00

The start of any Formula One season brings with it a crop of new faces and this year three ‘rookie’ drivers are set to make their race debuts when they line up on the grid in Bahrain this weekend.

The 2006 Season Preview

2006-03-06T08:11:00.000+02:00

Formula One racing is set for one of the most open seasons in years. There is no other conclusion that you can draw when you study the teams' winter testing form from the Barcelona, Jerez, Valencia, Bahrain, Imola and Vallelunga circuits.

2006 has all the hallmarks thus far of a brilliant season, with world champions Renault battling it out again with McLaren, and Honda moving forward to challenge both of them. Ferrari and Toyota should also be close, while Williams, BMW Sauber and Red Bull - with their Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso (formerly Minardi) teams - are definite underdogs.

Record pace from Honda

2006-03-03T10:07:00.000+02:00

Kimi Raikkonen’s V8 record lap of 1:09:423 set yesterday in testing at Valencia was crushed today by Davidson in the Honda. Davidson stopped the clocks with an impressive best lap of 1:08.543s, completing 70 laps in his Honda. With just one week to go until the season is underway - Honda, Renault and McLaren Mercedes are all looking strong.

10 days to go

2006-03-02T09:56:00.000+02:00

With just 10 day's till Bahrain, the teams are looking good; it is going to be a fantastic season. All the teams have done a good job with there cars, a lot of the weaker teams look a lot better, but it looks like this season is going to be a four way fight between Renault, McLaren, Ferrari and Honda.

McLaren one-two at Valencia

2006-03-02T09:53:00.000+02:00

Five teams and seven drivers completed another day of testing today at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia.Kimi Raikkonen broke the track record for a V8-powered F1 car.

Valencia - 01/03/06
1. K. Raikkonen - McLaren Mercedes MP4-21 - 1'09"423 (+0"000) - 120 laps
2. P. de la Rosa - McLaren Mercedes MP4-20 - 1'09"852 (+0"429) - 115 laps
3. A. Davidson - Honda RA106 - 1'10"301 (+0"878) - 143 laps
4. D. Coulthard - Red Bull Ferrari RB2 - 1'11"078 (+1"655) - 76 laps
5. R. Schumacher - Toyota TF106 - 1'11"129 (+1"706) - 59 laps
6. J. Trulli - Toyota TF106 - 1'12"159 (+2"736) - 80 laps
7. A. Wurz - Williams Cosworth FW28 - 1'12"257 (+2"834) - 70 laps

Honda in front of Renault

2006-02-26T22:28:00.000+02:00

Thursday 23 February, Testsession Barcelona.

Less than a tenth of a second separated the top three runners in Barcelona on Thursday, as Honda and Renault battled for supremacy in the week’s third day of testing at the Circuit de Catalunya. Jenson Button emerged on top, edging out Giancarlo Fisichella and Fernando Alonso, with Rubens Barrichello fourth.

J. Button - Honda RA106 - 1'13"935
2. G. Fisichella - Renault R26 - 1'13"971
3. F. Alonso - Renault R26 - 1'13"977
4. R. Barrichello - Honda RA106 -1'14"266
5. J.P. Montoya - McLaren MP4-21 - 1'14"588
6. K. Raikkonen - McLaren MP4-21 - 1'15"475
7. N. Rosberg - Williams Cosworth FW28 - 1'15"774
8. R. Schumacher - Toyota TF106 - 1'15"973
9. D. Coulthard - Red Bull Ferrari RB2 - 1'16"034
10. J. Trulli - Toyota TF106 - 1'16"057
11. M. Webber - Williams Cosworth FW28 - 1'16"128
12. C. Klien - Red Bull Ferrari RB2 - 1'16"923
13. C. Albers – MF1 Toyota M16 - 1'17"142
14. T. Sato - Super Aguri Honda SA05 - 1'19"787

McLaren and Henkel continue team work

2006-02-26T22:22:00.000+02:00

Team McLaren Mercedes is pleased to announce that long-term Partner Henkel has extended its Partnership with the team in a new multi-year agreement.
The partnership began in 1995 through the Loctite® brand. Henkel will continue to be an Official Supplier, but the Henkel logo has moved to the more visible top position on the rear wing end plate of the two MP4-21 racing cars.
The MP4-21 race cars are strengthened by a broad range of Henkel’s high-strength Loctite® brand adhesives, securing everything from threaded bolts to wiring. Already in the design phase, engineers at McLaren Racing consult with Henkel to determine the best-suited products to meet the distinct demands of any particular application.

Troubled day for Schumacher in Bahrain

2006-02-21T09:02:00.000+02:00

Ferrari continued their intensive test schedule at Bahrain’s Sakhir circuit on Monday, with mixed fortunes for drivers Felipe Massa and Michael Schumacher.

Massa, at the wheel of an F2004 chassis fitted with a restricted V10 engine, covered 124 laps with a best time of 1m 30.410s. The Brazilian’s programme comprised electronics and tyre work.In contrast, Schumacher could only complete 49 laps as he hit technical problems in the new 248 F1. The German, who focussed his attentions on set-up and tyres, ended the day with a best lap of 1m 31.390s.

Valencia day four - Kimi quick for McLaren

2006-02-21T09:00:00.000+02:00

Kimi Raikkonen set the fastest time of the day, and of the week, in Friday’s test in Valencia, which was marred at times by strong winds. Showing both encouraging speed and reliability, the Finn lapped in 1m 09. 987s while completing 81 laps.

Friday times from Valencia:
1. Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren (Michelin) 1:09.987s
2. Giancarlo Fisichella, Renault (Michelin) 1:10.921s
3. Heikki Kovalainen Renault (Michelin) 1:11.071s
4. David Coulthard, Red Bull (Michelin) 1m11.076s
5. Pedro de la Rosa, McLaren (Michelin) 1:11.245s
6. Christijan Albers, MF1 (Bridgestone) 1:13.09s
7. Adrian Sutil, MF1 (Bridgestone) 1:13.52s
8. Tiago Monterio, MF1 (Bridgestone) 1:13.815s

Mosley moots Morocco race

2006-02-20T08:23:00.000+02:00

With the likelihood of the mooted South African Grand Prix fading, Max Mosley has suggested that Formula One could head to a different part of the continent.Antarctica aside, Africa is the only global continent not represented on the F1 calendar.But with plans for a Cape Town (South Africa) event believed to have struck government funding problems, Mosley - the FIA president - dropped the name of an interesting northwestern kingdom: Morocco.

Very close results at Valencia

2006-02-17T07:54:00.000+02:00

Today’s results at Valencia were extremely close between the five teams present at the Spanish track.Heikki Kovalainen achieved the best time of the day at the wheel of his Renault R26, only a few tenths of a second better than the other Renault driver, Giancarlo Fisichella.
The rest of the field – except for MF1 test driver Adrian Sutil who had to settle for last year's EJ15B – was separated by very small gaps.
A good sign for Red Bull and Williams, who had at least one driver each within one tenth of a second of Kimi Raikkonen’s best lap.

Valencia - 16/02/06
1. H. Kovalainen - Renault R26 - 1'10"631 (+0"000) - 141 laps
2. G. Fisichella - Renault R26 - 1'10"930 (+0"299) - 119 laps
3. K. Raikkonen - McLaren Mercedes - 1'11"173 (+0"542) - 71 laps
4. J.P. Montoya - McLaren Mercedes - 1'11"188 (+0"557) - 49 laps
5. D. Coulthard - Red Bull Ferrari RB2 - 1'11"216 (+0"585) - 71 laps
6. N. Rosberg - Williams Cosworth FW28 - 1'11"232 (+0"601) - 77 laps
7. A. Wurz - Williams Cosworth FW28 - 1'12"229 (+1"598) - 116 laps
8. C. Albers - MF1 Racing M16 - 1'12"767 (+2"136) - 50 laps
9. A. Sutil - MF1 Racing EJ15B - 1'17"912 (+7"281) - 28 laps

Williams stay on top in Spain

2006-02-16T10:03:00.000+02:00

Second day of testing this week at the Valencia circuit in Spain. Despite feeling sick (food poisoning), Nico Rosberg set the fastest lap, followed by Kimi Raikkonen and Heikki Kovalainen.McLaren encountered more technical problems today, both Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya were momentarily stopped on the track during the session.

Valencia – 15/02/2006
1. N. Rosberg Williams FW28 1'10"994 -- 94 laps
2. K. Raikkonen McLaren MP4-21 1'11"199 +0"205 16 laps
3. H. Kovalainen Renault R26 1'11"362 +0"368 115 laps
4. G. Fisichella Renault R26 1'11"443 +0"449 83 laps
5. C. Klien Red Bull RB2 1'11"544 +0"550 63 laps
6. M. Webber Williams FW28 1'11"584 +0"590 33 laps
7. J. Montoya McLaren MP4-21 1'12"462 +1"468 85 laps
8. C. Albers MF1 Racing M16 1'12"916 +1"922 64 laps
9. D. Coulthard Red Bull RB2 1'13"585 +2"591 14 laps
10. R. Doornbos Red Bull RB2 1'14"643 +3"649 44 laps
11. G. Mondini MF1 Racing EJ15B 1'14"646 +3"652 84 laps

Mosley opens window for 2008

2006-02-15T12:06:00.000+02:00

FIA president Max Mosley has told Formula One teams that they will have a 10-day window of opportunity next month in which to commit to the 2008 championship, or risk losing their place on the grid.

Speaking in London yesterday, Mosley said he hoped the manufacturers threatening to form a breakaway championship when the Concorde Agreement expires at the end of 2007 would commit to the series. But he warned the five Grand Prix Manufacturers’ Association teams – BWM Sauber, Honda, McLaren Mercedes, Renault and Toyota - that they would not be guaranteed one of the 12 entries if they fail to sign-up in time.

The entry window is expected to open on March 23 2006, closing 10 days later, so that the deadline for 2008 regulations can be observed by the end of June.

So far only six teams - Ferrari, Williams, Midland F1, Red Bull, Scuderia Torro Rosso and Super Aguri - have committed to the new 2008 Concorde Agreement, though some of the so-called ‘rebels’ have indicated that they would be prepared to follow suit if it was possible to compete on a budget of around £100m per year. Current levels of expenditure by the top teams exceeds that by a factor of three or even four.

SUPER AGURI DRIVER LINE

2006-02-15T12:05:00.000+02:00

SUPER AGURI FORMULA 1 is delighted to announce that Takuma Sato and Yuji Ide will be the team’s race drivers for the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship.
Takuma joins SUPER AGURI FORMULA 1 from the Honda Racing F1 Team where he achieved eighth position in the 2004 Drivers’ Championship with 34 points, helping the team to complete the season in second place in the Constructors’ Championship.

De la Rosa tops Jerez timesheets

2006-02-10T07:51:00.000+02:00

Testsession Jerez day 3
01. P. de la Rosa - McLaren - 1:17.451
02. G. Fisichella - Renault - 1:17.479
03. M. Webber - Williams - 1:17.767
04. J. Button - Honda - 1:17.990
05. J. Villeneuve - BMW - 1:18.179
06. N. Heidfeld - BMW - 1:18.278
07. H. Kovalainen - Renault - 1:18.542
08. N. Rosberg - Williams - 1:18.843
09. K. Raikkonen - McLaren - 1:18.929
10. J. Trulli - Toyota - 1:19.083
11. R. Schumacher - Toyota - 1:19.320
12. V. Liuzzi - Scuderia Toro Rosso - 1:19.394
13. C. Albers - Midland F1 - 1:20.685
14. T. Monteiro - Midland F1 - 1:20.922

Jerez day two - McLaren close the gap

2006-02-09T13:03:00.000+02:00

Fernando Alonso was again the man to beat in testing on Wednesday as Renault began a four-day test at Jerez in Spain. Honda proved to be the world champions’ closest rivals, with Jenson Button only a tenth of a second behind, while McLaren’s Juan Pablo Montoya was an encouraging third with an improved Mercedes V8.

Wednesday times from Jerez:
1. Fernando Alonso, Renault (Michelin), 1:16.960
2. Jenson Button, Honda (Michelin), 1:17.106
3. Juan Pablo Montoya, McLaren (Michelin), 1:17.272
4. Pedro de la Rosa, McLaren (Michelin), 1:17.421
5. Rubens Barrichello, Honda (Michelin), 1:17.503
6. Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber (Michelin), 1:17.584
7. Jacques Villeneuve, BMW Sauber (Michelin), 1:18.055
8. Mark Webber, Williams (Bridgestone), 1:18.264
9. Heikki Kovalainen, Renault (Michelin), 1:18.922
10. Jarno Trulli, Toyota (Bridgestone), 1:19.430
11. Ralf Schumacher, Toyota (Bridgestone), 1:19.681
12. Nico Rosberg, Williams (Bridgestone), 1:19.971
13. Tiago Monteiro, MF1 (Bridgestone), 1:21.880

Testing time fast running out

2006-02-08T13:22:00.000+02:00

With the start of the season just over a month away, pressure is mounting on the teams to ensure their new machines are on the pace in time for the season opener in Bahrain. This week the testing action shifts to the Spanish circuit of Jerez, where we should get the best picture yet of the potential 2006 order.

New Mercedes engine for McLaren

2006-02-08T13:19:00.000+02:00

In a bid to curb their on-going gremlins Mercedes have redesigned their 2006-spec V8 engine.
During recent testing the Woking team struggled to keep pace with the Renaults, leading Kimi Raikkonen to claim that McLaren's Mercedes engine was it's "weakest link."
He said: "On the engine side we have a lot of work to do. (Mercedes) are not where they should be and they need to improve.
"We have been testing for a long time but we have not been able to make progress."
"(The engine) is definitely our weakest link now."
In an attempt to fix the problem, Mercedes have redesigned their FO 108S engine, which according to Autosport, is not only more reliable than the current one, but also has 60 horsepower more power.
McLaren are expected to test the new unit during this week's Jerez programme.

Alex Wurz on top for Williams

2006-02-08T13:06:00.000+02:00

Jerez - Tuesday - Testing
1 . A. Wurz - Williams Cosworth FW28 - 1:18.144 (+ 0.000 ) - 48 laps
2 . J. Button - Honda RA106 - 1:18.250 (+ 0.106 ) - 88 laps
3 . R. Barrichello - Honda RA106 - 1:18.626 (+ 0.482 ) - 112 laps
4 . N. Rosberg - Williams Cosworth FW28 - 1:18.735 (+ 0.591 ) - 84 laps
5 . R. Zonta - Toyota TF106 - 1:20.162 (+ 2.018 ) - 85 laps
6 . O. Panis - Toyota TF106 - 1:20.339 (+ 2.195 ) - 79 laps
7 . C. Albers - MF1 Racing Toyota M16 - 1:21.511 (+ 3.367 ) - 74 laps
8 . T. Monteiro - MF1 Racing Toyota EJ15B - 1:22.318 (+ 4.174 ) - 71 laps.

Williams F1 announces DeWalt

2006-02-07T13:44:00.000+02:00

WilliamsF1 confirmed today that the world’s leading manufacturer of professional power tools and accessories, DeWalt, has joined the team as an official supplier with a partnership agreement that will extend into the medium term.

Ferrari face tough test from Honda and Renault

2006-02-07T13:36:00.000+02:00

Michael Schumacher believes Ferrari are set to wipe away memories of their 2005 embarrassment by returning to top form this season.